2016 Shute Shield Team Of The Year: Backs
After one of the closest and most entertaining Shute Shield seasons in history, we’ve put together our team of the year for 2016.
READ MORE: 2016 Shute Shield team of the year: Forwards
Halfback – Jake Gordon (Sydney Uni)
Sydney Uni No.9 Jake Gordon was arguably the best performing halfback in the country in 2016 and was outstanding in both the Shute Shield and the NRC. The 23 year old scored 15 tries for the Students and sparked plenty of their attack in open play yet still provided brilliant service to his outside men. If his form continues, he’ll challenge both Nick Phipps and Matt Lucas for time in a Waratahs jersey next year.
Flyhalf – Andrew Deegan (Randwick)
As the competitions leading pointscorer, it was difficult to overlook Randwick playmaker Andrew Deegan for the No.10 jersey. Deegan continues to mature as a footballer and is well and truly in the Bernard Foley mould. The 23-year old executed Randwick’s expansive game plan with ease throughout 2016. Norths flyhalf Angus Sinclair also deserves a notable mention after directing his side to 13 straight victories and a Shute Shield premiership. According to some of his teammates, the Shoreman wouldn’t have won it without him.
Centres – Irae Simone (Northern Suburbs) & Apo Latunipulu (Southern Districts)
For a guy who hadn’t played the 15-man game for a number of years, 2016 couldn’t have gone much better for Irae Simone. The 2016 Shute Shield rookie of the year was near untouchable for Norths this season, won a premiership and picked up a Waratahs contract for his efforts. Still just 21, Simone’s rugby potential is scary.
Souths centre Apo Latunipulu missed the start of the season with a knee injury but found career best form towards the end of the year and was unstoppable in the Rebels semi final win against Randwick. The 24-year is comfortable at both No.12 and No.13 and is another who would thrive in a professional environment if given the opportunity.
Wingers – Harry Jones (Warringah) & Richard Woolf (Northern Suburbs
Warringah flyer Harry Jones finished the 2016 Shute Shield season with 16 tries as the competition’s leading try scorer. Still just 21, Jones was electric for the Rats and looked comfortable with several numbers on his back this season. He’ll be be one to watch in the talented Warringah backline next year and will continue to benefit from more training time with the Waratahs.
Richard Woolf crossed for 12 tries in the regular season for Norths, but scored perhaps the most important five pointer of the season late in the grand final to secure a 28-15 victory for the Shoreman at North Sydney Oval. Woolf had plenty of time to work on his trademark swan dive in 2016 and you can expect to see it quite a few more times in the years to come.
Fullback – Angus Roberts (Sydney Uni)
Sydney Uni fullback Angus Roberts is all class and had another strong season for the Students. The former Melbourne Rebels back scored 179 points this season and led his side to another grand final appearance. As Brett Papworth wrote in the grand final program, “he seems to play with time that other players don’t have. He never appears rushed, has excellent vision and invariably makes the right decision.” Still just 25, Roberts deserves another crack at the next level.
Notable mentions: Dewet Roos (Southern Districts), Angus Sinclair (Northern Suburbs), Seb Wileman (Warringah) Richard Hooper (Manly).
READ MORE: 2016 Shute Shield team of the year: Forwards